can this be right

[henryhorn]

Ravenwood having known of your circumstances the last few years I would just hold your head up and ignore any comments.
I recall reading how you panicked over paying your bills when first alone, how you struggled with everything from cutting logs for the woodburner to ending up decorating your kitchen yourself and finally realising you were a strong woman who could and would cope.
I am sure this thread was never intended about such as yourself, who have worked their socks off to support their families.
You have only ever accepted what was rightfully yours from the state and it was put there to support people like you in troubled times; what most of us are ranting about are those who milk the system when you and me support them.
I think you have done remarkably well since being on your own, many others would have given up their jobs not found extra work, and lived off the system. Unless I'm mistaken wasn't your grazing etc also a swap for you looking after the landowners' horses?
Stuff anyone who thinks otherwise about you and your life, and remember that important fact, no-one's opinion matters a bit unless they are family or close friends..

 

[Godknows]

Sadly there are some people who have no problems fiddling the benefits system whilst those genuinely in need struggle to get money.
Someone I know went bankrupt owing several hundred thousand, her and her partner had 5 horses, a trailer, 3 cars and a livery business. Oh and they worked in other jobs as well.
The horses were all transferred into their parents' names as was the business, the trailer hidden away as were several of the horses, and their earned income never declared.
They never paid any council tax/tv licence or car insurance, but ran up bills again despite being both bankrupts.
I pay tax every year , this year it's a huge amount because it's been a good year, and I damn well resent my cash going to parasites like that pair.
They will however never live their lives any differently, because in their view, the system is so flawed they "deserve" what they manage to get, and are cleverer than idiots like me who pay their dues.
I do think this government will make getting benefits more difficult, and hopefully less difficult for those genuinely in need. I'd jail the parasites I'm afraid, or confiscate their belongings as half the reason the economy is in such a mess is because of them...

Well said

 

[Dunlin]

I kept my nose out of this thread to see how it has progressed.

I have been on ESA Benefit for just over a year now. I have M.E which some may know about. I worked damn hard all my life until I got ill.

I go for a ride at a school once a year if I am lucky, this is mainly due to a) only being able to afford that and b) my health is really not good.

I can understand it from both sides. On that 1 day when I turn up at the riding school I look the picture of health and enjoy a 30 minute lesson and then go home. What is invisible is the 3 weeks I will spend after that ride bedbound and in terrible pain. I then won't have the energy or strength to ride for many months after that. In my book it's worth it as the enjoyment I get from that ride is so precious to me.

Everytime I have gone out and been for a ride I have been scared to death that someone from DWP is following me and collecting "evidence" or that someone who knows I am on benefit will video me or something and grass me up for being a fraudster, it's a horrible way to live.

I have been forced to sell the home I have owned for 6 years that I worked so hard to afford and as I am under 35 I am only entitled to a room in a shared house now and the housing benefit paid is nowhere near enough to pay the rent. Even if I was lucky enough to find somewhere affordable 99% of people are not interested in "DSS" as we are stereotyped. Even when I have tried to explain that I am not some kind of scrounging fraudster they are still not interested because they are so judgmental and blinkered.

The other issue that "ill" people face on benefits is the ATOS healthcare medical exams. I struggle to look after myself and I have a pretty non existent life. I went through this exam last year and they took me straight off benefit and declared me fit to work. I got a job and after 3 months I collapsed and ended up in a cardiac unit at hospital as I had pushed so hard my body literally failed on me and I was close to my heart failing me.

Once I had recovered and got back home I appealed the decision to send me back to work with this information and I won the appeal.

Even though I won my appeal back in September last year I was sent to a work related activity group which was full of people very unwell and we were being forced to apply for part time or volunteer jobs. If you don't attend the group you are pulled off benefit and not entitled to anything except Jobseekers benefit. I have half killed myself once again attending this ridiculous group once a fortnight and have seen a rapid decline in my condition.

Because I was "well enough" to attend the work group ATOS have called me in for another medical to try and declare me fit for work again and stop all my benefit. The criteria for being fit for work is ridiculous, suffice to say, if you can walk 20 metres and pick up an empty cardboard box once, you are declared 100% fit for full time permanent work.

I shall be made homeless on 16th January, not entitled to council house or help, can't find anywhere in budget for the shared room accommodation and no-one wants DSS and I don't have any family left to help or friends in a position to help.

Not looking for any sympathy, life sucks at times, I deal with it, just wanted to tell you my story so you can experience what it is like from this side of the fence

I'd love my old life back, what I would look forward to the most is being able to work and to have a purpose in life and feel proud of myself again.

 

[DipseyDeb]

Working Families Tax Credit is fantastic. As soon as I was well enough, I got a low paid part-time job and that along with WFTC gave me masses more than I got on benefit. But yes it was a struggle when my child reached 18 and it stopped. [/QUOTE
I hope to employ my first employee next year. I will be seeking advice before doing so because quite frankly i would rather employ someone who isnt getting masses of cash or fantastic working family tax credit. Some weeks in a small business you just can t take a wage.. imagine struggling to pay someones wages when they were getting masses of cash and fantastic wftc... and then trotting off home after their alotted 16 hours?

You could employ them for less than 16 hours, then they wouldn't be able to claim wftc.

 

[DipseyDeb]

Dunlin....your situation sounds appauling, I do appriciate that the benfit system is flawed it seems to fail the people that genuinely (sp) need it, yet seems to fund crazy life styles for others......after working, for 10 years, in the DWP I remain ever synical (sp)!!!

 

[happilee]

Sadly it's the way this country is going. Ruined!

 

[Tangled]

This kind of thing really annoys me, in my line of work I visit a lot of people who receive full benefits and most do have it very easy indeed. I go round to their house and they have a 50inch plasma tv, beautiful leather sofas, absolutely gorgeous decoration...yet on full benefits. However in most cases their partner works yet they still claim full beneift - they "deserve" it. So they get their rent paid for, repairs done etc. Makes me so angry sometimes.

And what's worse is you do get geniune people and families who go by the book and claim what their entitled too yet struggle on a daily basis. It's a very unfair system.

 

[3BayGeldings]

Yuck, makes me feel sick

 

[Bertolie]

I know people similar
one family with 6 kids and 3 horses! Council house. Have a car
another lady with several horses up the yard that doesn't work.
Its madness

This doesn't actually say that the ones in the council house didn't work, and to be honest, I dont like the implication that anyone living in a council house shouldn't have horses (a couple of the posts seem to link living in a council house with claiming benefits).

I live in a council house with my hubby, son and daughter, and we all work. We have 3 cars parked on the drive and 2 horses. None of us are in a particularly well paid job but I earn enough to pay for the horses.

A lady I ride out with doesn't work but has 2 horses...but she doesn't claim benefits!

I would withhold judgement unless you know all the facts.

 

[crellow4]

Unless you are prepared to report these people nothing will be done! The DWP will investigate once they receive a report of potential benefit fraud. The more information you can give them the better. Benefit fraud costs the country (i.e you and me) millions each year, sadly the investigators are not psychic and rely on referrals from the public x

 

[1973horse]

I know people similar
one family with 6 kids and 3 horses! Council house. Have a car
another lady with several horses up the yard that doesn't work.
Its madness

are you suggesting people who live in council houses and have above average amount of children that they cant have horses or cars? i get irritated by peoples small minded assumptions of people.my partner works full time and as always worked. we have shock horror 7 kids, 5 of which are still dependent. 4 horses 3 dogs and a 4x4 and our own yard, all paid for by US. we receive minimal wtfc.the state doesn't pay our rent council tax or anything eles.so please dont pass judgement because we are not you typical family.

 

[stacey_lou]

Back in the day im talking when my daddy was in his 20's the majority of people in council houses and estates worked for a living but lived in council owned houses beacuse they couldnt afford to buy or have private rent.

These days things have changed the ratio has flipped unfortunatly people dont seem to want to work and have no quarms in saying they live of the dole.

I for one would be ashamed to say I had my life given to me and that I claimed of the state living in a council house that dont nor am I prepared to contribute too.

MY daddy grew up in a council house which he paid rent for which he then went on to buy as his first house.

Theres no pride in people anymore its really sad, no ambition to grow as a person, socially or career wise. like most my friends Ive wanted nothing but all these things since I was at young.

 

[YorksG]

I have slightly more concern about the people who do not pay their taxes, than the very few who defraud the benefit system. I also have some issue with people who live in council houses long term. and those who bought them at vastly reduced prices, thus reducing the houseing stock for those in need.
I also have a problem with people who have more children than they can afford without 'top up' benefits. This is not aimed at the people who's circumstances change, but those who deliberately make lfe choices that the rest of us have to pay for.

 

[stacey_lou]

I have slightly more concern about the people who do not pay their taxes, than the very few who defraud the benefit system. I also have some issue with people who live in council houses long term. and those who bought them at vastly reduced prices, thus reducing the houseing stock for those in need.
I also have a problem with people who have more children than they can afford without 'top up' benefits. This is not aimed at the people who's circumstances change, but those who deliberately make lfe choices that the rest of us have to pay for.

Exactly, mum always says to decide on having children you must first ensure you can afford to look after them and have a roof over your head.

 

[ebonyallen]

I posted a thread a couple of weeks ago,So now I am not Disabled enough. This was despite all that is wrong me along with the loss of most of my leg, they have stopped my money, saying not disabled enough, having to fight them now to get it back, so from my point of view it does make me cross and I can see why all Tax payers would not be happy about this. It is knowing how to work the system, which having worked all my life I do not know how to do .

 

[Spyda]

I know of several families who definitely have no working members in their family (and never have) who are supposedly living entirely off 'state benefits' but who manage to keep a couple of very nice, new model, cars in the their drive and replace them every couple of years. Afford decent luxury holidays at least once a year. Their kids have 'all the gear' and also get almost new cars once old enough to drive. Some keep a horse (or a couple of horses) at livery, some are member of the expensive gold club, one has a (VERY) nice boat kept in the harbour.... Now I know none of these families is claiming disability living allowance and is just claiming the normal benefits for a family with or without children. HOW do they manage to have all that they do???? How? My husband (who works his **&* off running his own business) shrugs and assumes they must be doing 'cash work' or breaking the law doing something else to line their nests. How do these people make their money??? It's not by working and paying NI and income tax, that's for sure. Meanwhile the rest of us pay our dues and support these people who are living a much better life style than us by claiming benefits, not working and raising another generation of youngsters who watch their parents and see what a good thing they're onto.

Sadly, on the other side of the coin are the genuine needy people who for whatever reason need to be on state benefits (and let's face it, there by the grace of God go any of us) who are having their money cut and are genuinely struggling. It's the people who are 'milking the system' and working on the side, that are making the majority of working people angry at what some families on benefits have.

 

[Spyda]

Exactly, mum always says to decide on having children you must first ensure you can afford to look after them and have a roof over your head.

Too right. Around here getting 'up the duff' is seen as a life choice by some 15-16yr olds who figure it's the easiest and quickest way to get their foot on the council housing ladder. Sadly, many are finding out all too late that there simply aren't enough properties to go round. I have four children and have drummed it into them since they were old enough to understand, that having a baby IS NOT an easy option.

I have to listen to one particular person I know grumbling that she's stuck in a 2 bed council house with 3 young kids under 6. She's a young single mother (with a horse) and her two youngest children are 18 months old and 2 months old. And, frighteningly, she claims to have had a pregnancy scare only last month What on earth is this girl thinking???? She's claiming benefits, claiming money from two of the 3 dads to her children and is still putting herself at risk of becoming pregnant again when she's already complaining about the council not moving her into larger accommodation. All her children are the same sex so far. Maybe she hopes by having another baby of the opposite sex the council will be forced to move her into a larger property. The mind boggles.

 

[FionaM12]

Oh no, who dragged this thread up again?

I really hate these type of threads. I didn't recognise it until I'd clicked on it. I'll have to unsubscribe to avoid being tempted to look at it. Just wish there was a "hide" button like there is on Facebook!

As someone else said, much more money is lost to the state from the top end, by fraud and avoiding tax than the people on benefits. I do wish people wouldn't be so quick to judge others' circumstances without knowing all the details. So unpleasant.

And what exactly has it got to do with horses?

 

[Spyda]

And what exactly has it got to do with horses?

I think most would admit that keeping a horse is expensive. Even a grass kept pony - kept properly - equals a relatively expensive hobby. The reason this subject is to do with horses is because many of us work hard to afford to keep our horses or be involved with them (many of us struggle and do without to make ends meet) but also know people who choose not to work and are part of families with the no-work - just milk the system for what you're entitled to - mindset who keep one, two or more horses on their benefits. How? Many, many people on benefits struggle and complain they can barely manage on their income, whilst others apparently on the same benefits, are keeping horses, owning cars that I could not afford, take holidays I could not afford, smoke, drink, buy nice clothes.... I work. They dont. How is this fair when I know all working people are subsidising these people's lifestyle? Genuine need is one thing. The other is taking the p*ss.

 

[Crazy_cat_lady]

I really have to bite my tongue when talking to them I just want to shout in their faces I AM PAYING FOR THIS.

Exactly this it makes me so angry!

Yes i agree there are some people who geniunely need benefits but then you see these "chavvy" types who've never done a days work, who breed as many kids as possible just so they get extra benefits.

Then you see people boasting about what their benefits are paying for and you just feel like saying- yes my tax

Yet while they can still earn more through benefits than getting a job they arent going to stop. The whole system needs changing and where is this benefits cap that was going to happen?

And dont even get me started on the immigrants living in big expensive houses boasting about all the gadgets they have that are paid for by their benefits!

 

[FionaM12]

And dont even get me started on the immigrants

Yep. Saw that coming....


I have to stop looking at this thread. It's full of angry crazies

 

[Alfie&Milo]

Agree with the people who say you don't even know the real circumstances but I think the majority of us know people and the circumstances and it's ridiculous. I know someone just like this post is about, baby at 17, numerous animals and all paid for with her benefits. Drives me nuts that I work to pay for my two horses and a dog and everything else that needs paying for and she just flaunts new stuff in my face and new animals all over facebook. Get a job!!! Pay for them yourself! And it equally drives me insane that they also get vet fees discounted... grr !

 

[Anglebracket]

And dont even get me started on the immigrants living in big expensive houses boasting about all the gadgets they have that are paid for by their benefits!

There was a BBC article on this recently. According to the article only 6.4% of benefit claimants are immigrants. Also, migrants are actually less likely to claim benefits than those born in the UK.

See:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16643677

 

[Capriole]

And it equally drives me insane that they also get vet fees discounted... grr !

Do you get discounted vet fees if you dont work? I never knew that.

(Not really related but It irked me when that horse flu and tet vaccs amnesty was on last year, where people who hadnt had their animals vaccinated got a big discount off having them started. I have all mine done as a matter of course and not ever a penny off )

 

[piebaldsparkle]

It is knowing how to work the system, which having worked all my life I do not know how to do .

This is what makes it all wrong. Of course those claiming as a third generation of non workers know how to milk it to the full.

 

[Spyda]

This is what makes it all wrong. Of course those claiming as a third generation of non workers know how to milk it to the full.

^^^^^ agree.

That's what's irking most of the people moaning on here. We're not digging at people in genuine need - but those who take the utter *&^$^ and seem flagrantly proud to be keeping their horses c/o The State. Jeeze, they don't even feel embarrassed If I were one of them I'd be keeping my mouth shut and my head down.....

 

[Ladydragon]

I know people similar
one family with 6 kids and 3 horses! Council house. Have a car
another lady with several horses up the yard that doesn't work.
Its madness

Wow...Thankfully, I've not seen such overt snobbery in a long time...

I had five children...and live in a council house...and have a car...and have horses... Apparently that piddly snippet of knowledge is enough to make derisive presumptions...

Do you get discounted vet fees if you dont work? I never knew that.

Not in my neck of the woods... Unless the companion pet owner qualifies for the PDSA... Although I have known a few working pet owners who need vet services and have asked their benefit claiming friend to take the animal to the PDSA as if it was their own animal to utilise the free treatment...

 

[moosea]

People really p*ss me off moaning on forums about this sort of thing.

If you have a problem with the benefits system, or immigration, then take it up with your local MP and actually do something about it.
It is not the individuals fault that you feel the system is flawed. This country has become so obsessed with what everyone else is 'getting'.

I'm proud that I work to pay my way. However when I was on benefits some time ago I still had regular lessons, although I did not at that time have a horse.
I paid for my lessons out of my benefits .. So what?

 

[kippen64]

Time to confess. I don't have a job, live on welfare and have two horses. They are old horses who have been family members for a long time and it's not their fault I don't have a job.

No car, secondhand clothes, furniture from the hard rubbish, marked down nearly out of date food. Yep, I'm living the high life. Want to swap?

I will get a job. Am looking. Want one. It's just a case of finding one. To urge myself on, I tell myself what I will do when that happens. That will be money in the bank, a car, a horse trailer and another horse. That is my dream. I know it can happen and that this time of hardship will come to an end.